Amazon-style drones could be delivering packages to UK homes by 2019
If you're fed up with slow package deliveries then we've got good news – drone posties could be taking to UK skies very soon
DRONES could be delivering packages to your front door as soon as 2019.
Rules that previously blocked such services in the UK are being changed, paving the way for a sci-fi future where parcel-carrying drones clutter the skies.
Until now, drone owners in Britain haven't been allowed to fly their unmanned vehicles beyond line-of-sight.
That means if you can't physically see your drone, you're in breach of UK air regulations.
But the UK's National Air Traffic Control Service (Nats, for short) is scrapping that rule to help make drone deliveries a reality.
Speaking to The Times, Andy Sage, Nats' head of drones, said that routine "out-of-sight operations" could start as soon as next year, or in 2020.
Drone deliveries first seemed like they could be a reality in 2016, when Amazon launched Prime Air.
The concept drone-based delivery system is still in development, but has been hampered by legal roadblocks.
If rolled out, it would mean that customers could place Amazon orders and receive their package very quickly – because it's being delivered by a drone.
It would also potentially be much cheaper in the long run for Amazon to provide drone deliveries, rather than paying for humans in vehicles to do the same job.
Nats' Director of Safety David Harrison said it's "vital" that the UK prepares infrastructure for drones.
"The increasing popularity of commercial drone operations and the growing number of drone-related incidents makes it essential that we take steps now to help make this happen, and this new partnership will get the UK's unmanned traffic industry off to a safe, flying start."
But not everyone is convinced that drone deliveries will kick off in the near future.
In a statement sent to The Sun, supply chain expert Mike Danby cast doubt on the prospect.
"While it's interesting to hear that drones will safely share airspace with conventional aircraft, there's still some way to go before we see Amazon-style deliveries landing on doorsteps," said Danby, who heads up a supply firm that works with top brands like, Asos, New Look, and Adidas.
"There are countless issues to first overcome, particularly around infrastructure, privacy and security, and avoiding interference with the package.
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"Regulations around the flight of the drone itself is perhaps one of the more straightforward challenges in making this a reality."
But he says that once the drone package schemes roll out across the UK, it could "revolutionise" deliveries.
Do you think drone deliveries are a good idea? Let us know in the comments.
Last week, we also revealed that Amazon has started taking photos of your front door after deliveries.
And earlier this year we also tested their checkout-free shop.
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